Programmable optical mouse

ABSTRACT

An optical-signal receiver comprises an optical sensor operable to receive an optical signal from an optical-signal emitter communicatively coupled to an electronic system and a processor operable to implement a performance characteristic value specified by the optical signal.

BACKGROUND

In operation, a typical optical computer mouse captures a series of images of a surface on which the mouse is located, compares one image to the next image to calculate a vector value that represents the movement of the mouse, and transmits this vector to a computer, which moves a displayed cursor a corresponding distance, at a corresponding speed, and in a corresponding direction.

A wireless optical mouse typically transmits this vector to the computer via a uni-directional wireless channel. That is, over this channel, the mouse can transmit information to the computer, but the computer cannot transmit information to the mouse.

Unfortunately, because the computer typically cannot transmit information to the mouse, it is often impossible to modify the mouse's factory settings, which determine its operating characteristics. One solution that would allow the optical mouse to receive communications from the computer is to employ a wireless bi-directional channel between the computer and mouse. However, although one can implement such a bidirectional channel, it would significantly increase the complexity, cost, and power consumption of the mouse.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, an optical-signal receiver comprises an optical sensor operable to receive an optical signal from an optical-signal emitter communicatively coupled to an electronic system and a processor operable to implement a performance characteristic value specified by the optical signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of a wireless optical mouse according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram of the circuitry within the wireless optical mouse of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mouse of FIG. 1 receiving optical programming signals from a display device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an alternative system for programming the mouse of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an optical-signal receiver, such as a wireless optical mouse 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. The optical mouse 10 includes a casing 20 in which is disposed a light-emitting unit 30 such as a light-emitting diode, a lens 40, an integrated circuit (IC) 50 having an optical sensor 60 such as a CMOS imaging array and on-board processor 70 (not shown in FIG. 1), and a printed circuit board (PCB) 80 upon which is disposed the unit 30, IC 50, and a transmitter 90. Conductive traces (not shown) on the PCB 80 enable communication between the transmitter 90 and the IC 50. A clickable button 110, which allows an operator to, for example, select items displayed on a display device 112, is mounted in an opening in an upper surface of the casing 20.

In operation according to an embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting unit 30 emits light into a chamber 120 disposed within the casing 20. The lens 40 is disposed within the chamber 120 and focuses the light reflected from a reference surface, such as a mouse pad 130, on to the optical sensor 60. The optical sensor 60 senses the reflected light, and in a manner known in the art, calculates a vector value that represents the movement of the mouse 10 relative to the pad 130. The transmitter 90 transmits the vector value to a computer system 134 coupled to the display device 112 as part of a wireless signal 132, which may be a radio-frequency or optical signal. In response to the received vector value, the computer 134 moves a cursor (not shown) on the display 112 a corresponding distance, at a corresponding speed, and in a corresponding direction.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram of the circuitry within the mouse 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The IC 50, in addition to comprising the processor 70 and optical sensor 60, further comprises a non-volatile memory 140. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the processor 70, sensor 60 and/or memory may each be arranged on separate integrated circuits. The memory 140 stores settings associated with characteristics, such as the rate at which the sensor 60 captures images of the reference surface 130, inactivity-period threshold (i.e., the period of inactivity after which the mouse 10 enters a low-power, i.e., “sleep” mode) and other functional properties that govern the performance of the mouse.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the programming of the characteristic settings stored in the memory 140 is discussed according to an embodiment of the invention. The settings may be wirelessly altered by optical signals generated by an optical signal generator such as the computer system 134, displayed by an optical-signal emitter such as the display device 112, and received by the optical sensor 60. For example, the optical signals may represent settings data 160 in the form of a stream of pixels of varying shades of darkness displayed by the display device 112. For example, a dark pixel 170 may represent a logic 1, and a light pixel 180 may represent a logic 0, or vice versa. Alternatively, the display 112 may “flash” the settings data to the mouse 10 as a train of light pulses that form coded data. For example, two successful flashes within a predetermined time window might represent a logic 1, and one flash with in the window may represent a logic 0. Of course, other coding schemes may be used.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, an operator programs or reprograms the settings of the mouse 10 by holding the mouse in a predetermined position with reference to the display 112 so as to allow the optical sensor 60 to receive the data 160. As a precondition to receiving the data 160, an operator may cause the mouse 10 to enter a programming mode by, for example, depressing the button 110 for a predetermined length of time or predetermined number of times. In an alternative embodiment, the mouse 10 includes a secondary optical sensor (not shown) such as a photo diode that receives the data 160. Consequently, by generating the data 160, the computer system 134 may, via the display 112, program the setting of the mouse 10. The processor 70 is configured to demodulate/decode the data 160 received by the sensor 60 (or other dedicated sensor) and modify the performance settings stored in the memory 140 accordingly.

To select the desired settings, an operator may employ the mouse 10 to specify, via one or more dialog boxes 190 generated by the computer system 134 and displayed on the display device 112, a setting value according to which the user desires the mouse to operate. Subsequently, the computer system 134 generates on the display device 112 the data 160 that, once received and processed by the mouse 10, causes the mouse to operate according to the selected setting value. In an embodiment, the mouse 10 can provide a signal to the computer system 134 confirming that the mouse is operating according to the selected value. The computer system 134 may cause a message to be displayed by the display 112 that acknowledges this confirmation or indicates a programming error.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a system that incorporates the mouse 10 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The transmitter 90 (FIG. 2) communicates the motion vector (i.e., the velocity with respect to the surface 130) of the mouse 10 to a base station 210 over a wireless channel 220. The base station 210, in turn, communicates the motion vector to the computer system 134. In alternative implementations, the base station 210 may be communicatively coupled to the computer system 134 via a wireless channel 230 or cable connection 240.

As discussed above, the mouse 10 is operable to receive from the display device 112 optical programming signals generated by the computer system 134. In an alternative embodiment, the base station 210 may comprise an emitter 250 such as a LED operable to emit optical programming signals generated by the computer system 134 that are similar to the data set 160 discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 3. The mouse 10 may mate with the station 210 so that the optical sensor 60 (FIG. 1) may receive the optical programming signals from the emitter 250.

Alternative embodiments are contemplated. For example, the mouse 10 may be programmed by optical signals from a light-emitting device (not shown) that is stand alone, i.e., is not communicatively coupled to the computer system 134 or, the mouse 10 may be manually programmable with an operator-controlled light source such as a laser pointer or flashlight.

The preceding discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 

1. An optical-signal receiver, comprising: an optical sensor operable to receive an optical signal from an optical-signal emitter communicatively coupled to an electronic system; and a processor operable to implement a performance characteristic value specified by the optical signal.
 2. The receiver of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter operable to communicate a state signal identifying a state of the receiver to the electronic system.
 3. A system, comprising: an optical-signal generator; an optical-signal emitter coupled to the generator; and an optical-signal receiver having a performance characteristic set to a first value, the receiver receiving from the emitter an optical signal operable to set the performance characteristic to a second value.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the generator comprises a computer system.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the emitter comprises a video-display monitor.
 6. The system of claim 3 wherein the receiver is operable to generate a state signal identifying a state of the receiver.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the receiver is further operable to communicate the state signal to the generator.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the emitter comprises a state-signal receiver operable to receive the state signal from the optical-signal receiver and provide the state signal to the generator.
 9. The system of claim 3, wherein the receiver comprises a wireless optical mouse.
 10. The system of claim 3, wherein a performance associated with the characteristic is displayable by the generator.
 11. The system of claim 3, wherein the performance characteristic comprises a frame rate.
 12. The system of claim 3, wherein the performance characteristic comprises an inactivity-period threshold.
 13. The system of claim 6, wherein the state comprises velocity relative to a surface.
 14. The system of claim 6, wherein: the state signal comprises a characteristic having first and second values; and the first and second state-signal characteristic values respectively correspond to the first and second performance-characteristic values.
 15. The system of claim 3, wherein the optical signal specifies the second value.
 16. The system of claim 6, wherein the state signal specifies the second value.
 17. A system, comprising: an optical-signal emitter operable to be coupled to an electronic system; and an optical-signal receiver having a performance characteristic set to a first value, the receiver receiving from the emitter an optical signal operable to set the performance characteristic to a second value.
 18. A method of programming an optical-signal receiver, comprising: generating an optical signal to be received by the optical-signal receiver from an optical-signal emitter, the receiver having a performance characteristic set to a first value, the optical signal operable to set the performance characteristic to a second value; and displaying the optical signal.
 19. A method implemented by a receiver having a performance characteristic set to a first value, comprising: communicating a state signal identifying a state of the receiver to an electronic system; receiving an optical signal from an emitter communicatively coupled to the electronic system, the optical signal operable to set the performance characteristic to a second value. 